Dulcet attachment for banjos.



I PATENTED MAY 22, 1906.

N. HOWARD. DULOET ATTACHMENT FOR BANJOS.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB.23,1906- ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Iletters Patent.

Patented May 22, 1906.

Application filed February 23, 1906- Serial No. 302,545.

To all whom at may concern.-

Be it known that I, NORMAN HOWARD, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Yonto the accompanying drawin s, and to theletters of reference marked t ereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in dulcet attachments for banj 0s, and comprises a simple and efiicient device which may be attached to the bridge only of the instrument without contact with the head, whereby the tones of the instrument may be softened, whereas with the devices of this nature heretofore used contact is made with the vibrating parchment forming the head, which deadens the tone, as the head constitutes the sounding-board.

My invention consists, further, in various details of construction and arrangements of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically defined in the appended claims.

I illustrate my invention in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this application, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a banjo, showing the application of my invention. Fig. 2 is alvertical sectional view through the head and attachments, parts being shown in elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the device, and Fig. 4 is a erspective view showing the attaching means for holding the dulcet.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings byletter, Adesignates the frame of the head of the banjo, over which is strung the parchment B, which is held in a taut relation by means of the rods 0, having the tightening-screws D.-

E designates the bridge of the instrument, over which the strings F pass, and G designates a tailpiece having an angled end slotted to receive the ends of the strings.

H designates a bracket-arm, which is shown in section in Fig. 2 of the drawings as being held to the reinforced frame by means of a screw I and is apertured to receive the threaded rod K. Said rod has a shoulder K integral therewith, and one end is bent to form a hook N. (Shown clearly in Fig. 8 of the drawings.) Said rod is passed through an aperture in the end of the tailpiece, which latter bears against the shoulder K and is afterward passed throu h the aperture in the bracket-arm H and held in an adjusted position by means of a screw 0, fitted upon the threaded rod.

Q designates a strip, preferably of wood of any kind, which has a transverse aperture at one end to receive the hooked end N of said rod K in the manner shown clearly in Fig. 3

. of the drawings, and the forward end of the wooden strip Q has a lateral projection Q, having a transverse recess Q which is intersected by a recess Q (Shown clearly in the perspective view, Fig. 3.) Said transverse recess Q is provided for the purpose of re ceiving the bridge E, while the space Q is afforded to allow one of the strings of the banjo to pass therethrough.

In applying my device, the tailpiece being adjusted in the manner shown, being held against the shoulder K by the tightening-nut K the strip Q is caught over the hook N and fulcrumed over the tailpiece in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and the laterally-projecting portion Q is pushed down over the bridge in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and made to bind against the bridge without contact with the vibrating parchment head, thereby softening the tone of the instrument without deadening the same, as would be the case if the end of said lateral projection came into contact with the parchment.

From the foregoing it will be noted that by the provision of the apparatus shown and described a simple and efiicient means is afforded which may be easily and quickly attached to the instrument to produce the softening of the tone and at the same time affording an ornamental attachment.

What I claim is- 1. In combination with a banjo having a head and bridge thereon, a tailpiece to which the strings o the instrument are held, a threaded rod engaging said tailpiece, whereby the latter may be held to the frame of the head, a tone-softening attachment pivotally connected to said rod and having a lateral projection which is slotted and adapted to frictionally engage said bridge, as set forth.

2. In combination with the head of a banjo I and frame therefor, a bridge, a bracket-arm fixed to said frame and provided With an aperture, a threaded rod passing through the aperture of said arm, a tightening-nut upon said rod adapted to bear against said arm, a

tailpiece having an aperture to receive said rod, a shoulder upon said rod and a tightening-nut adapted to hold the apertured end oi sald tailpiece against said shoulder, and a tone-softening strip having an aperture to receive the hooked end of said rod, a lateral projection of said strip having intersecting recesses and adapted to frictionally engage the bridge of the banjo, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

NORMAN I-IOWVARD.

Witnesses:

FRED R. CASEY, H. S. TARBELL. 

